Loud scandal: TUI apologises for the advertising that called slave owners "brave ancestors" of the Dutch

Travel giant TUI has apologised for an advertising campaign that referred to the Dutch colonizers of Suriname as "brave ancestors." The fact is that the colonial period of the South American country, which was influenced by the Netherlands two hundred years ago, is one of the most terrible periods in its history.

There is evidence that the Dutch treated the inhabitants very cruelly, promoting a slave culture. According to The Mirror, the tour operator "bowed his head" and apologised for the gap in knowledge of Suriname's history.

The advertising text read, "Imagine yourself in the shoes of our brave ancestors and follow their routes through green Suriname. You cannot help but see the Dutch influence on this country. Our ancestors founded hundreds of plantations here..."

Kick Out Zwarte Piet, a group that fights racism in the Netherlands, criticised the ad, saying that the "brave ancestors" were actually "rapists and colonialists."

TUI acknowledged that the ad was "offensive" and "lacked knowlede" and said it did not intend to devalue the suffering of people enslaved in Suriname.

The company said it was proud to introduce people to the beauty of Suriname, but "with respect for the country, its people and history."

Suriname is a small South American country with a population of 600,000 people, known for its tropical rainforests, Dutch colonial architecture, and unique ecosystem.

As previously reported by TravelWise, TUI announced a change in its baggage policy in May this year.